The Committees Division which was established in May 2003 provides secretarial, administrative support and procedural advice to all the Committees of the National Assembly. Each Committee is provided with a Clerk and an Assistant Clerk of Committee and, where necessary a researcher.
The Division is managed by the Head of Committees Division who plays an important role in the coordination of resources between the other departments and in the dissemination of information to and from the Committees Division.
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES
INTRODUCTION
Parliamentary Committees are established by the Constitution and National Assembly to assist the Assembly in its work. They perform a variety of functions. Committees are to be so constituted as to ensure, as far as possible, that the balance of parties in the Assembly is reflected therein.
Authority for the Appointment of Committees
The power of the Assembly to appoint Committees is inherent in article 165 (1) of the Constitution.
In addition to this, the Constitution makes provision for the Assembly to appoint the following Committees –
- Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform;
- Parliamentary Sectoral Committees for the scrutiny of all areas of Government policy, and
- Standing Committee of the National Assembly with responsibility for the appointment of members of Constitutional Commissions.
Types of Committees
The various types of Committees appointed by the Assembly are Standing, Sectoral, Sessional Select and Special Select.
Standing Committees which are appointed at the commencement of a new Parliament include
(a) The Parliamentary Management Committee
(b) The Committee of Selection;
(c) The Public Accounts Committee;
(d) The Constitution Reform Committee;
(e) The Committee on Appointments; and
(f) The Sectoral Committees specified in Standing Order No. 86:
1. Committee on Natural Resources
2. Committee on Economic Services
3. Committee on Foreign Relations
4. Committee on Social Services
Sessional Select Committees which are appointed at the commencement of each session include –
(a) The Standing Orders Committee;
(b) The Assembly Committee;
(c) The Committee of Privileges; and
(d) The Statutory Instruments Committee.
Special Select Committees are Committees composed of an agreed limited number of members of the Assembly. Special Select Committee are usually appointed to consider or enquire into and, if so empowered, to take evidence upon some matters and to report the opinions or observations, or recommendations thereon for information of the Assembly, or to consider a Bill tabled in the National Assembly, after its first or second reading. However, they may also be appointed for any other purpose which the Assembly considers necessary.
Operations of Committees
Committees of the Whole Assembly
A Committee of the Whole Assembly is appointed in pursuance of a resolution that the Assembly will immediately or at a specified future time, resolve itself into a Committee for a stated purpose.
It comprises
(i) the Committee of Supply to consider estimates of expenditure for a financial year, and from time to time Supplementary Estimates and Statements of Excess; and
(ii) the Committee to consider a bill.
Parliamentary Management Committee
The Parliamentary Management Committee has been established by Resolution No. 16 of 2003 of the National Assembly of the Eighth Parliament of Guyana.
It has to consider and decide on matters relating to the business of the National Assembly and such other matters which it may wish to consider or may be referred to it by Committees or the National Assembly.
Committee of Selection
The Committee of Selection has the responsibility of, among other things, nominating Members to Committees and, from time to time, any other matters the Assembly may refer to it.
Public Accounts Committee
The Public Accounts Committee has to examine the accounts showing the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament to meet public expenditure and other accounts laid before the Assembly and referred to it by the Assembly along with the Auditor General’s Report. In addition the PAC supervises the functioning of the Office of the Auditor General in accordance with the Auditor General’s Rules, Policies and Procedures Manual.
Constitution Reform Committee
The Constitution Reform Committee is responsible for the purpose of continually reviewing the effectiveness of the working of the constitution and making periodic reports thereon to the National Assembly, with proposal for reform as necessary.
The Committee has the power to co-opt experts or enlist the aid of other persons of appropriate expertise to assist in its work.
Committee on Appointments
The Committee on Appointments has the responsibility to
(a) identity the appropriate bodies for consultation in the appointment of the relevant members of Commissions established under the Constitution, conduct the necessary consultation with them and, where necessary, receive nominations from appropriate bodies;
(b) make recommendations to the National Assembly
(c) report to the National Assembly in relation to each Commission as soon as possible upon the discharge of its functions in relation thereto.
The Four Sectoral Committees
The four Sectoral Committees are
- the Natural Resources Committee
- the Economic Services Committee
- the Foreign Relations Committee; and
- the Social Services Committee.
The Sectoral Committees have the responsibility for the scrutiny of all areas of Government policy and administration. In the exercise of their responsibility they have the power to examine all policies and administration for each sector to determine whether the execution of Government policy is in consonance with the principle of good governance and in the best interest of the nation.
Standing Order Committee
The Standing Order Committee has the responsibility to consider from time to time and report on all matters relating to the standing Orders which are referred to it by the Assembly.
Assembly Committee
The Assembly Committee has the responsibility to consider and advise the Speaker upon all matters connected with the comfort and convenience of Members of the assembly.
Committee of Privileges
Any matter which appears to affect the powers and privileges of the Assembly is referred to this Committee whose duty is to consider any such matter and to report thereon to the Assembly.
Statutory Instruments Committee
The Statutory Instruments Committee shall have the duty of considering all such instruments (as defined by the Interpretation and General Clauses Act for the time being in force) as under the authority of any law are to be laid before the Assembly, and are to be subject to negative resolution within the meaning of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act.
